Saint Thomas holding a square rule, his head turned to the right
Original title: Saint Thomas holding a square rule, his head turned to the right
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike related depictions of saints, this engraving by Marco Dente (around 1515–27) presents Saint Thomas not with a lance but with a set square in his right hand; his head is turned slightly to the right. The sheet shows a saint with his attribute, rendered in the medium of engraving.
Description
Saint Thomas stands in a long-sleeved robe and cloak, holding the set square in his right hand. Short curly hair surrounds a bright halo that emphasizes his holiness. A uniformly textured ground recedes behind the figure, making him stand out. Delicate lines and hatching shape contours and textures in monochrome gray tones.
Context
Marco Dente, an Italian engraver of the Renaissance, worked in Rome and often reproduced antiquities and works by Raphael. Here the set square identifies Thomas as a builder of the Church. The dating around 1515–27 falls within Dente's active years at the papal court. The print probably belongs to a series of saint depictions that was widespread at the time.
Impact
The sheet feels calm and contemplative, carried by fine draughtsmanship and even lighting. The halo gives the saint an otherworldly aura, which the plain background only enhances. Monochrome tones and precise hatching create a noble, graphic aesthetic.
Technique
For this engraving, lines were incised into a metal plate and then printed on paper. Fine hatching produces various shades of gray and models the forms without visible shadows. With a sheet size of 21.1 × 12.6 cm, the work suggests a handy devotional image.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)